I checked in with Stefan Legein's junior coach on Wednesday morning, and he was as mystified as anyone with the rookie's alleged "retirement.''

Mario Cicchillo coached Legein with Niagara of the OHL. He said he hasn't spoken to him in a couple of months and that he was stunned to hear the report on the radio. Most logically, he said he doesn't think it's permanent.

"Who knows what's going through the kid's head? I've told a few guys, it could be just something he's going through,'' Cicchillo said. "He's trained hard all his life. I can't see it being a for sure thing. I think the guys he trains with will end up leaving for camp, he'll get the passion back.

"Let's put it this way. We were all young at some time. Maybe he's trained 24/7 for 12 months so hard, maybe he needs a break. But he has a love for the game. I don't think he's going to lose the love of the game that quick. I guarantee you he will be playing again. Who throws away all that hard work?''

Syracuse assistant Trent Cull said he just learned the news Wednesday morning and didn't really have any explanation.

I left a message on Legein's cell phone.

In the brief interaction I had with Legein at the end of last season, nothing stuck out as unusual. He practiced hard, and was quiet and polite, about what you'd expect from a rookie joining a team for the playoffs. I did think it was unusual when he went home during the Toronto series. He had all summer to work out on his own. Why do it then?

Nothing seems to ring true about this whole scenario yet. Good, young players just don't walk away from their chance at the NHL because they are burned out. When he doesn't show up for training camp, that's when I'll believe he's retired.

I'll tell you what, though. Columbus and his agent aren't doing Legein any favors by closing ranks and not offering a general explanation. That kind of reaction always makes things look worse than they are.

I'm not saying we need a detailed breakdown of some potential personal problem. But some insight should be offered. Is that an intrusion? Perhaps. But when you make the decision to be a pro athlete, and accept perks, high draft status, signing bonus and salary that come with it, that's how it goes. That's the tradeoff. You can't just disappear without a peep.

I felt the same way about Jamie Pushor a couple of years ago. One minute he's the captain of the Crunch and answering any question you want. The next he leaves the team during the stretch run and hasn't returned a phone call since. People used to ask me whatever happened to him. I say I have no idea, and still don't.

Again, I don't need a complete explanation of personal issues. But a quote or two, or a statement, would be nice.